Selfish/thoughtless NHS users

Waterlily24

teddysmum wrote: »

I am eligible for free prescriptions as I am a pensioner,have diabetes (but need no prescription drugs) and hypothyroidism, but always wondered why those who have the two conditions mentioned have all prescription items free, even if not related to the condition.

Yes, me too. I'm a pensioner now too but have always had everything else free too. Doesn't seem right does it.

photome

Waterlily24 wrote: »

What a horrible thing to say, I am diabetic (type 1) through no fault of my own. I've lived with it since I was 11, it's not a very nice illness, if you'd ever had a bad hypo you would know what it's like.............................


I was so ill at the beginning because my doctor said it was just nerves through starting a new school and didn't do anything about it. When my Mum called him to come and see me a few days later he actually said she's all eyes and teeth, there wasn't much left of me and I was rushed to hospital with all bells ringing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it a horrible thing to say?

Why should some life threatening conditions get free prescriptions while others don't?

Diabetes just came to mind as one example.

What about people with asthma who could die without inhalers? Who under normal circumstances have to pay

photome

GwylimT wrote: »

Would you remove all free prescriptions that are illness based, or just those suffering with diabetes?

Why not remove all ? the health service is short of money

Waterlily24

photome wrote: »

Why is it a horrible thing to say?

Why should some life threatening conditions get free prescriptions while others don't?

Diabetes just came to mind as one example.

What about people with asthma who could die without inhalers? Who under normal circumstances have to pay

Just because you picked out diabetes on its own, I think its a disgrace that other illnesses aren't included for free prescriptions.
Some illnesses aren't lifelong though, people can grow out of them (not all I know). I've been diabetic for 58 years and have cost the NHS a lot of money which I'm sorry about but it wasn't my fault. I think it must be something in the genes as my sisters son also has it.


You just upset me I'm afraid. So many people say diabetes, diabetic and don't differentiate between the two types - they are very different.

doodle-bug_2

The current charge is around £8.40 PER ITEM, not per prescription. So I don't think that it would cost the average person around £9 pcm, but more.

I know a friend who has paracetamols in addition to real painkillers, there is no way on earth he can buy these from the shelf - he would need to pop into every single chemist in town to buy the amount he needs per month - due to the limit per customer.

It is awkward (and often unfair) that some have to pay, and some do not.

marliepanda

doodle-bug wrote: »

The current charge is around £8.40 PER ITEM, not per prescription. So I don't think that it would cost the average person around £9 pcm, but more.

I know a friend who has paracetamols in addition to real painkillers, there is no way on earth he can buy these from the shelf - he would need to pop into every single chemist in town to buy the amount he needs per month - due to the limit per customer.

It is awkward (and often unfair) that some have to pay, and some do not.

A prepayment certificate is £104, for the whole year. So I imagine thats where the £9 (ish) a month comes from. It shouldn't cost anyone more than that.

I do agree though that blanket free prescriptions for ALL illness should be stopped. My mum had 2 epileptic blackouts as a teen, is now classes as epileptic (had no fits for 40+ years) so gets all prescriptions free, regardless of what they are for, none are anything to do with her 'epilepsy'.

System

I'd ratheer not be charged for GP appointments. As i have a chronic health condition and am currently under the sole care of my GP (should really be under the mental health team but thats another rant) at one point for a period of about 4 months, i was there every week. As requested by my GO so she could keep a close eye on me until i got reffered to the mental health team. Charging for appointmnts would put me off going when at times i really need to go. As it is there is a 2 week wait to see my GP, i'm currently feeling very very up and manic but by 2 weeks it could have gone so it feels pointless....i know i should go but its so long to wait. if i had to pay i'd just end up not going at all (beacuse unless i was in a depressive period and feeling suicidal it would feel lie a waste of money and time) and getting very ill.

doodle-bug_2

The prepayment is good value, if you need a lot of items.

Problem is, I have been made redundant and am still looking for a job. As my husband works, we must get just over whatever threshold it is as I get absolutely nothing. Suddenly, the £104 seems to be quite high. I know they do it in some instalments, but @£30 seems high when you are living on a very tight budget.

dawyldthing

Faith177 wrote: »

Hopefully it'll start to catch on in other places

My grandparents don't have to pay for prescriptions they both get paracetamol and ibuprofen in their monthly prescriptions and most of the time they give them away annoys the hell out of me

If people are in care they have to be on prescription with Mars sheets along with many other stuff like olive oil for ear ache and other basic stuff

Torry_Quine

marliepanda wrote: »

A prepayment certificate is £104, for the whole year. So I imagine thats where the £9 (ish) a month comes from. It shouldn't cost anyone more than that.

I do agree though that blanket free prescriptions for ALL illness should be stopped. My mum had 2 epileptic blackouts as a teen, is now classes as epileptic (had no fits for 40+ years) so gets all prescriptions free, regardless of what they are for, none are anything to do with her 'epilepsy'.

If your mother had fits that long ago is she still on medication for it? I'd be surprised and wonder why if she was. If she isn't then she shouldn't be classed as epileptic and get free medication.